Schoolgirl Arrested For Burning Koran And Posting Video On Facebook

A 15-year old schoolgirl has been arrested on suspicion of ­inciting religious hatred after allegedly burning the Koran and then posting footage on
Facebook.

The girl has been accused of setting fire to an English-language copy of the holy Islamic book in front of other pupils in the playground at her school in the Sandwell area of Birmingham, West Midlands.

The video was reported to the school and has been removed from the internet. Two Facebook profiles have also been taken off, police have confirmed.

A 14-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of ­making threats on the social networking site in connection with the alleged incident. Both have been released on police bail.

A senior teacher at the school said he was 'very disappointed' by the incident.

Chief executive officer of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, Catherine Heseltine, said that burning the koran was one of the most offensive acts to Muslims she could imagine: ' The Koran is the most sacred thing to over a billion Muslims worldwide.'

Local councillor Bob Badham, Sandwell's cabinet member for children and families, said: 'It's not the first time this has happened – it's almost like a copycat act. It's very easy to just press a button to put a video online without thinking about the consequences, they are almost an afterthought."

He said the school was doing all it could to encourage pupils to try and put the incident behind them, and added: 'The council has been working hard with a school, police and the local community to maintain harmony following the incident.

It is understood that the publishers of this version of the Koran have visited the school to talk to pupils.

'All involved have reacted very positively and the children at the school know how serious it is. We have all pulled together.'

A spokesman for West ­Midlands Police said: 'A 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred. She has been bailed pending further inquiries.'